The Bucs got back to their winning ways on Saturday at Furman after an exciting finish saw the Bucs improve to 7-1 with a 17-13 thriller over the Paladins.
Coming off of a heartbreaking loss to Chattanooga, the Bucs traveled to face SoCon rival (4-2) Furman. The Bucs entered the day needing a victory to remain in control of their own destiny in SoCon play, and a victory is what the Bucs left with.
This game marked the Bucs’ first victory at Furman since 1997 and saw the return of a strong defense that held the Paladins to only 75 rushing yards.
The first half was a battle between kickers.
The first quarter only saw one score, a 35-yard field goal, that put the Paladins up 3-0 early. The second quarter saw similar action as the Paladins went up 6-0 on another field goal. Kicker Tyler Keltner (Tallahassee, Fla.) finally put the Bucs on the board just before halftime with a 26-yard field goal and sent the Bucs to the lockers down 3-6.
The third quarter started rough for the Bucs when Furman scored early on a 20-yard touchdown and took a demanding 10-point lead early in the second half.
After struggling to move the ball, the Bucs were in danger of dropping back-to-back games until Quay Holmes (Powder Springs, Ga.) did what Quay Holmes does, on a two-yard carry, the running back found the endzone for the 10th time this season and brought the Bucs back into contention entering the fourth quarter, still down 10-13.
After holding the Paladins to only one score in the third, the Bucs defense would back up their performance in the fourth and prevent another score. After forcing a punt, the Bucs marched 80-yards down the field as time ticked off the clock. With :09 seconds left in regulation Tyler Riddell (Tampa, Fla.) connected with wide receiver Malik Murray (Duluth, Ga.) on a short pass in the endzone.
Up 17-13, the Bucs were on their way to a 7-1 record pending a defensive stop, and the Bucs did not disappoint, forcing a fumble to secure the comeback victory.
Now on a bye week, the Bucs have time to rest and recover as they enter the final stretch of the season.
The next time the Bucs suit up will be for Homecoming when VMI comes to town Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. The last time these two teams met, the Bucs upset a No. 10-ranked VMI and ended their bid at a perfect season in the spring.
